Evansville Planning Commission--October 2007

City of Evansville
Plan Commission

Regular Meeting
Monday, October 1, 2007, 6:00 pm
City Hall (Third Floor), 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Mayor Sandy Decker.

Roll Call. Present: Mason Braunschweig, Jim Brooks, Sandy Decker, Bill Hammann, Gil Skinner, and Jeff Vrstal. Staff present: Tim Schwecke, Dan Wietecha and Judy Walton. Others present: Several business owners and members of the public.

Diane Roberts arrived at 6:04 p.m.

Approve Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to amend the agenda by moving Items 7F, 8A & 7E to follow Item 5 and to approve as amended. Motion approved unanimously.

Approval of Minutes.
A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hammann to approve the minutes of September 4, 2007 as printed. Motion approved unanimously.
B. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to approve the minutes of September 26, 2007 as printed. Motion approved unanimously.

Citizen Appearances Other than Agenda Items Listed. There were none.

Note: Agenda items addressed in the following order – 7F, 8A, & 7E

VII. New Business

F. Discussion regarding appropriateness of sign regulations – initiated by John Morning and Roger Berg. Melissa Destree of Destree Design Architects presented proposed signage in an effort to better identify the businesses located in the shopping center off of Brown School Road. This sign would include the individual business names and the new shopping center name of Brown School Plaza. The property owners, business owners and customers of the businesses spoke in support of the sign. They stated the mall location is not clearly visible and the route to the establishments is difficult to follow. They consider this proposed sign a way to let customers know where they are and to help them navigate the way to their businesses. Schwecke reviewed his memorandum outlining potential solutions. The proposed sign would require revisions to the City’s sign code or an alternative would be to create a process allowing deviation from the established standards – known as a special exception. The Committee directed Schwecke to investigate the possibilities of amending the ordinance. This would need to apply to all areas of the city, yet take into account the vast differences that exist between properties due to specific zoning and geographic areas.


VIII. Preliminary Development Presentations

Evansville Community Senior Center (southeast corner of Maple Street and Church Street).
Janis Ringhand presented the preliminary plans for the Community/Senior Center, a community center with an emphasis on senior activities. Construction will be in 2 phases. She stated the response was favorable from those in the proposed development area. Hammann concluded the discussion by stating that the plan is an excellent and appropriate use of the lot and provides a barrier between industrial and residential properties.

VII. New Business

E. Discussion regarding the extension of Ordinance 2005-39 (minimum house sizes).
Currently the minimum house size provisions apply to Capstone Ridge, Westfied Meadows
and Grand Orchard subdivisions. The Ordinance is scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2008.
Roger Berg stated that home sizes should not be dictated by ordinance. He shared
information with the Committee regarding potential environmental benefits of smaller homes.
Tom Cothard informed the Committee that the larger homes are not selling. One concern of
the Committee is the fairness to the existing homes within the affected subdivisions if there
is a change made to the ordinance. Schwecke was directed to review the history of the
ordinance and its creation, the relation to current zoning and to investigate an additional
option for potential modifications.

Unfinished Business.

C. Allen Creek Master Plan. Wietecha informed the committee that the semi final draft was presented to the Redevelopment Authority on September 18th, and the final draft will be presented at the November Plan Commission meeting.

D. Community Rating System Classification/Flood Insurance. Wietecha informed the Committee that Public Works has sent this back to Plan Commission to direct Schwecke to prepare a budget outlining the savings versus costs of reducing our rating from 10 to 9 or from 10 to 8.

New Business.

E. Variance from height standards, North Prairie Productions applicant (Application 2007-25). Bob Clausen and Bill Dunlop, representing North Prairie Productions presented the changes that have been made to the previous site plan. The requested variance is required in order to meet equipment specifications and to utilize standard size tanks, conditions that are unique to this project. Schwecke referred the Committee to his staff report that outlines items to consider in making their decision. Decker opened the public hearing at 7:56 p.m. John Sornson asked if there would be additional firefighting equipment required. Mr. Dunlop stated they have coordinated with the Fire Chief regarding a fire suppression plan. Decker closed the public hearing at 7:58 p.m. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Vrstal to approve the variance application with the statutory findings as contained within the staff report. Motion approved unanimously.


F. Site plan amendment for North Prairie Productions biodiesel plant, North Prairie Productions LLC applicant (Application 2007-26). Much of the discussion occurred under Item 7A. The applicant reviewed the landscaping plan. Schwecke stated there is a sign permit required and he has not received the landscaping plan. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve the application with conditions as contained within the staff report. Motion approved unanimously.

G. Extraterritorial plat review for Conifer Hills 3rd Addition, Charles and Dolores Rohloff applicant (Application 2007-28). Schwecke pointed out that this final CSM differed from the preliminary due to a Rock County stormwater management basin requirement. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to approve the application with conditions as contained in the staff report. Motion approved unanimously.

H. Zoning code map amendment to rezone 14 lots in Capstone Ridge from R-1A to R-1C, City of Evansville applicant (Application 2007-30). Schwecke explained that this ordinance will correct errors on the adopted digital zoning map. Decker opened the public hearing at 8:12 p.m. Janis Ringhand spoke regarding the importance of correcting the zoning. Decker closed the public hearing at 8:13 p.m. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Skinner to recommend to Common Council the adoption of Ordinance 2007-14 as drafted. Motion approved unanimously.

I. Item previously moved to follow Item 5.

J. Item previously moved to follow Item 5.

K. Discussion regarding outdoor lighting ordinance and Mike Scarmon’s (city resident) offer of assistance. Schwecke explained that he has received an unsolicited offer of assistance by someone who has a background in outdoor lighting. This phase of the unified land development code is currently scheduled for a later time period but given this offer he asked if the scheduled should be reprioritized. Schwecke was directed to proceed and to have Mr. Scarmon work directly with the Plan Commission.

Preliminary Development Presentations

Item previously moved to follow Item 5.

Health Club (off of Brown School Road in John Morning’s strip mall). Schwecke stated this type of business requires a conditional use permit and he failed to inform the business owner of that. The business is scheduled to open prior to the next regular Plan Commission meeting and he is requesting a special meeting to correct this. The Committee set the special meeting for Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

Rock County’s Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan. Decker stated that there was nothing new to report. Their next meeting is November 8th, 2007.

Site Plan Amendments. There were none.

Evansville Redevelopment Authority Report. There was none.

Evansville Historic Preservation Commission Report. There was none.

Traditional Neighborhood Development/Residential Design Study Committee Report. Decker stated that the TND Committee needs more members. There was discussion about having Plan Commission absorb this committee, but there is too much time required.

Plan Commission Recommendations. Schwecke referred to the recommendations listed on his memorandum. Council has approved 3 comprehensive plan amendments and an extraterritorial land division for Daria Every. In addition, Council approved a resolution in support of the soybean crushing allocation, development agreements for Hans Kleisch and Cobblestone Inn and an amended development agreement for Capstone.

Board of Appeals Actions. There were none.

City Planner’s Enforcement Report.

A. Raymond Nipple, 535 South 5th Street. Schwecke stated the Mr. Nipple submitted a letter of appeal regarding the interpretation of the zoning code. A meeting is scheduled for the Board of Appeals with a tentative date of October 25, 2007.
B. Hans Kleisch site plan compliance for Application 2007-10 (motor vehicle storage yard) Schwecke informed the Committee that there are vehicles that are not fenced as required but his attempts to contact the business have not been successful.
C. Frank Romano site plan compliance for Application 2007-18 (expansion of restaurant). Schwecke stated he met with Mr. Romano to discuss options available to bring the site into compliance.

Next Regular Meeting Date. Monday, November 5, 2007.

Additionally, there is a special meeting on Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

Adjournment. On a motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Brooks the meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

Prepared by:
Judy Walton
City Clerk

The minutes are not official until approved by the Plan Commission at their next regular meeting.